St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-04-23

Il do not see that" says Massareene,
quickly, who Is as honest as he is fulfilled
OF love. "1f he can lead justice to it's ends,
why should he not be used? Miss Roche,
am sure, would be the very last to pre-
vent that; and SO, when you come to think
of it"-looking at Millicent-''would
YOU"
"Well-perhaps. But Nadine must not
be teased now. Not tonight. To-mor-
row night perhaps, when the ball is over
but not before"
Gas you WILL says Lady Valworth,
with a sigh
She would have liked to speak with
Nadine now at once. "Is it a conspiracy?'
asks Duran, coming up at this moment
and touching Lady Valworth lightly on
the arm. "You all look 50 solcmn-even
Miss Grey, who, as rule, is gay as spring
time.'
"Ohr' exclaims Millicent; at is this
curious affair."" she goes on; 'auntie
imagines she has seen tonight some of
/ her lost diamonds. And where do you
| think2'
''In the servants hall?' suggests he,
| laughing.
mo. Here. In this very room, worn
by one of her guests. -
/ "Impossibler' Something in her tone
removes the smile from Durans lips. He
turns to Lady Nalworth. "A guest:' he
says
"Millicent is indiscreet, p" hesitates Lady
/ NalWOrth, casting a reprOachful glance at
her niece.
''Not that; only little angry, - returns
Millicent, with a rather tremulous smile.
"And why should what you have told us
be hidden? Why, after all, are we Il
whisper of it in corners? We almost con
denim her in SO DOING
Condemn. Who" exclaims Duran
sharply.
Instinct, love, what you will, has led
him to a knowledge Of the truth.
Nadine, replies Lady Nalworth in
low tone, her eyes lowered.
"Who has dared'- He checks him.
self abruptly by an effort that renders his
face as white and cold as marble. ''You
can scarcely allude to Miss Roche when
speaking of this matter, " he goes ON, with
labored attempt to appear calm.
'Of Nadine? Yes. But it is all q mis-
take says Millicent. Lady Valworth
has seen a diamond cross around her
neck. But one cross of that sort is so like
another! for my part feel sure it is a
which no doubt should be allowed to rest
even for moment" declares Duran, his
brow darkening He looks round him
Miss Roche is at the other end of the
room. VIII you permit me to bring her
here, Lady Valworth, and let you have s
closer examination of this cross? You,
too, Miss Grey? You know the cross in
question:" Il have seen it-yes," says
Millicent, slowly. IF you think it bet
ter to lift this doubt from Lady Val |
worth's mind so-bring Nadine here But |
upon one thing insist"-fixing her eyes |
first on him and then on her aunt with an |
imperious glance-''that no thought of |
our suspicion is betrayed to Nadine. / !
will not have her hurt-offended'-
She breaks off abruptly. She is agi-
tated, and her eyes are troubled Could |
she know it, her agitation, kindly,
womanly as it is-has made Duran her
friend for life.
'Certainly, no allusion should be made
to-er-anything awkward, puts in Mas
sareene hurriedsy.
Duran has already gone in quest of Ma
dine; and presently returns, bringing
her to where Lady Valworth, Millicent,
and Gerald Massareene are standing
The girl, flushed and lovely, forgetful
for the moment of all her cruel future,
and mindful only of the happy present
that has given her Duran, advances
toward the anxious expectant group
with smiling lips and wide, glad eyes.
Upon her neck the fatal cross is rising,
falling, gltttering, as only the purest
diamonds can. Millicent, her gaze fixed
upon them, feels her heart contract. If
not Lady Valworth's cross, it is unfortu-
aately horribly like it.
Some few words pass between her and
Nadine. The latter is too full of the
lour's passionate joy to heed the grief
within her friends eyes. But Duran
eads it. Lady Valworth, after one
wifi glance at the girls neck, lets her
,aze sink to her fan, with which she per-
istently tri1es until Nadine has gone by
hem.
''Well?" she says then, addressing Mil
icent.
81 acknowledge it is like your cross
0 like that it may be yours; and, If so.s
10 doubt this Paul Annerley bought it
Or her from wherever the thief sold it."
GA city clerk!-to buy that jewelr'
There is unbelief, keen and strong, in
.ady Valworth's low tone. /
"How else could he have obtained it?
Who Is this Paul Annerley? How should
e have had access to your jewel cases" I
Miss Grey's tone Is somewhat impa- |
ent. I
"That is what I cannot say. T only ,
now the cross is mine" replies her aunt {
oggedly. i
at resembles it. That I admit. But =,
think time will prove to you that you 9
re mistaken. It is probably only PASTE" {
"Paste of that sort is expensive for
ty clerk d
Her obstinacy angers Millicent. :
s'Then In all probability, as I said be-
re, it is mere glass-Spanish crystal 6
hat you will" she says, Struggling her l
loulders. II can well believe it Is q .
+ of French iewelrY. What cannot